The heads of Mali and Sudan’s ruling bodies met on Saturday, as both countries face significant military challenges. General Assimi Goïta, Mali’s ruling junta leader, welcomed Sudan’s Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for a 48-hour visit.
Both leaders have faced intense scrutiny for their rise to power.
Goïta seized control in a 2020 coup, ousting President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, while Burhan removed civilian leaders from Sudan’s government in 2021, following the overthrow of dictator Omar al-Bashir.
Sudan has been embroiled in conflict since 2023, when Burhan’s deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, rebelled against him.
The conflict pits Burhan’s army against Daglo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The meeting between Goïta and Burhan is part of a three-leg African tour by the Sudanese leader, which will also include visits to Burkina Faso and Niger. Guinea-Bissau has confirmed Burhan’s visit on Sunday and Monday.
Both Mali and Sudan have distanced themselves from their former colonial powers, instead strengthening ties with Russia.
However, Moscow is reassessing its support for Sudan’s RSF due to concerns over losing strategic military bases in Syria.
